Amidst a very modest acknowledgement of her accomplishments, she reminded all of us that she failed more than she succeeded as she competed. To her, as hard as it was to accept in the moment, failure was just part of the process of striving for her goals. In words that showed great wisdom beyond her years, she said, “Failure is just a data point – it is not an identity.”
The best players in sport have that sort of mentality where they are able to overcome failure and learn from it to make themselves better. Those who lack the requisite mental toughness are sometimes so humbled by failure that they lose the confidence to excel. This is the “state of mind” I have often referred to that characterizes players in slumps but if it is not conquered, it becomes part of their identity – the inability to perform in the big moment.
In professional sports, the players not only have to deal with the mental burden of their own failures, but they also have to deal with the reaction of the fans. Fan criticism is a force multiplier of the mental demons that haunt a player’s psyche when the going gets tough. We in the media have the unfortunate power to focus that negative fan energy into a searing laser beam of doubt. We should be very careful how we use it.
As this applies to the current roster of the New York Mets, it reminds us why some players with great credentials in smaller markets can fail on the bigger stage. Why did Freddy Peralta excel in Milwaukee, fail in New York, and then regain his swagger in Tampa? Why did Francisco Lindor and Bo Bichette struggle so mightily early in their New York careers? Why do so many former Mets find greater success on other teams?
I can’t say that mental toughness is the only reason because there are many variables. I do believe it is very plausible that an athlete’s ability to use failure as a tool to improve is the most significant “intangible” factor in determining their eventual level of success. The front office needs to understand this quality and develop a way to screen for it as they consider the next moves required to build a sustainable championship contender.
4 comments:
There is a dark cloud hanging over Citi Field. Too many incoming players struggle mightily at first here. Even Benge did. Few escape the cloud.
To Paul’s point, I think seeing the interviews Nimmo gave when the Mets visited Texas in September are very educational. Nimmo spoke candidly about the shock of players when seeing the daily throng of reporters and the intensity of which the team is covered and portrayed.
Nimmo spoke about who he might see one reporter in the clubhouse after games, he might be asked a few questions and then be released. It wouldn’t be up to twenty reporters firing questions for an extended period after games.
As I have said before, I would not want this as a player and the money is just as green somewhere else. Unless Cohen overpays, I don’t see Skubal coming here.
I agree that mental toughness cannot be overlooked. The bigger the stage, the more it is required. In my experience, the people who have the hardest time dealing with the spotlight are those who genuinely want to please everyone and whose self identity depends too much on the opinions of others. People like me, unfortunately.
The dark cloud is the Mets' press gaggle
Relentless
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